Krakow to transform industrial area into a multifunctional green city

Up to 100,000 new residents might live in the future district

A 700-hectares area in the south of Krakow might soon become a high-rise buildings district, offering plenty of opportunities for culture, sports, medication and leisure. The Polish city unveiled yesterday a conceptual plan for the future “Nowe Miasto” (New town), which might become home to 100,000 people. The space near the main airport currently serves as a warehouse ground and an industrial area.

The new Krakow will be more resilient to the changing climate

With rapid urbanisation and changing climate, cities will need more living spaces with abundant greenery to ensure quality living for future inhabitants. This is what Krakow, second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland, is set to address with one of its main investment projects for the near future – a new multifunctional district in its outskirts. An area, currently serving as a warehouse and an industrial space it is set for a total makeover, possibly ten years from now.

Jerzy Muzyk, Deputy Mayor for Sustainable Development, explained on the city website that the concept follows the development strategy of the city of Krakow until 2030, as well as the provisions of the preliminary development studies adopted in 2018. Back then, it was decided that the area will be repurposed, so that residents will be able to find a job, accommodation, and entertainment, but also enjoy green areas and public spaces.

For this purpose, the city is working on the large transport system that will ensure easy access to the new district, including the extension and the renovation of existing axes. Moreover, according to the concept, almost 1/10^th of the area will be occupied by a municipal park.

The Deputy-Mayor further pointed out that the authorities are trying to meet the challenges of the present day, namely climate change, environmental protection and limitation of the so-called heat islands. In his words, the implementation of this concept would involve large financial expenditures on road and network infrastructure, water supply, sewage systems, but also water retention for heavy rainfalls.

Finally, and unlike other parts of the former Polish capital, here it will be possible to build high-rise buildings reaching up to 150 meters.

What follows next in terms of planning is that the provisions of the concept are agreed with external authorities. Once this happens, in the fall of this year, the city government will make the plan publicly available and potentially presenting it to the councillors and having it adopted by the end of 2021.